Owner and designer, Christie Little, founded her brand in 2010. Vine Street Market, USA is designed and produced in Los Angeles. The name Vine Street Market actually comes from the location of the famous Hollywood Farmer’s Market where the brand got its start selling to local Angelenos looking for the perfect carryall tote to go from city to beach and everywhere in between.

Christie’s fashion career began with a recycled/repurposed clothing line she created at age 15. After completing her studies in Apparel and Textile Design at Michigan State University she moved to Los Angeles where she built her career in the fashion and entertainment industries. After several years of designing for everyone else Vine Street Market, USA emerged as a side project on Sunday mornings at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. The brand has since grown and is now going into its 7th year.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?I know a lot of young designers have these wild, sugar-sweet dreams of creating their own line and becoming an overnight success. But Apparel and Accessories manufacturing is a cut-throat business, it is not for the faint of heart. Yes, a great idea and a catchy design is important but it is really only 1% of the process. Retail is changing every day; Social Media is changing every minute and Trends change every second. This business really keeps you on your toes!

Vine Street Market, USA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?Originally, Vine Street Market set out to be a reusable market bag company. But the more followers and customers we gained we learned that everyone liked to use their VSM bag in their own way. With feedback from our customers we broadened our range of uses and materials. We now credit ourselves as, “Fun inspired carry-all totes for your life’s treasures and adventures.”

Whether you are heading to the beach, the city, or the airport you definitely want to grab your VSM bag just in case. The majority of our customers own 2-3 VSM bags that are easy wear or to grab and throw in your purse because they unfold in a moment’s notice. I definitely think that sets us apart from the rest of the tote bags on the market.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?I think success is defined by the people you surround yourself with in life and in business. Los Angeles is a rather large community but I always call upon my friends for recommendations or help with projects that are outside of my realm. I think that is a good measure of a man/woman.

This Just In-spiration: Meet Christie Little

JANUARY 25, 2016

Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the people behind the product.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?I don’t consider myself an artist. Maybe, I am a designer but mostly I am an entrepreneur. My first business venture was a recycled clothing line I started at age 15. My passion for reuse and repurposed goods inspired my first line. I would buy clothing and accessories at garage sales and thrift stores around the country, then take those items, reconstruct/repurpose them, add my label and resell them to local stores. Creating and selling opened up a whole new world for me. Whether it was going on scouting adventures to strange towns to sift through thrift stores or pitching products to buyers from my vending booth. Either way, I knew “future me” was not going to be satisfied with a quiet 9 to 5 desk job.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional designer?Seeing people wearing my label…I get so excited! I created Vine Street Market, USA bags because I felt there was a need for a more fashionable alternative to the typical reusable market bag. So many times I see people pulling dozens of ugly tattered reusable bags out of their car trunks and then later I see them walking out of the store, hands full of tiny flimsy handled bags with groceries falling out. They look miserable. I started VSM to spread the trend of using crossbody carryalls and to encourage people to leave the car parked, get out, walk around, shop, explore, and fill up your bag…be present! So when I see someone walking around wearing one of my totes, I think, “They totally get it!” and that makes me smile.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?This is a great question and we always laugh about this in the office! Somehow movies and TV always portray the fashion world as this all glitz and glam posh lifestyle. In reality, we are all in our yoga clothes, yelling at our cell phones, lugging boxes to and from our warehouses. But on the fun side we do take group breaks to watch our favorite Buzzfeed videos and we crack jokes all day.

The best days are beach shoot days though. A photo shoot is a great excuse to get out of the studio and hit the sand. We try and schedule as many of those days as possible!

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?Does my laptop count? My head of Sales, Aida, is shaking her head no. Then I guess I would have to say my sunglasses. I never leave the house without them. They are my constant reminder that every day is sunny in Los Angeles.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?Actually, I recently spoke with a kindergartner at the Muse School Lavender Fair in the Malibu Hills. The young girl was trying to haggle with me and pay for an I Love Hearts bag with her lunch tokens. Kids these days!

We did a great program with the school providing reusable market totes for the students K-5. The kids took their totes and went on a field trip to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market where they each got to purchase an organic produce item for the school cafeteria to use to make school lunches that week. In answer to your question, I think young children are sometimes more eco-friendly and aware then most grown ups nowadays. They have a great love and respect for this planet. That and they really like our stylish prints and colors.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?Ah yes, my mantra! I like to keep it simple; it’s my 3-step program:

Thanksgiving is just right around the corner! With only 2 more weeks to go, you haven't even thought of what to bring to your family or friends homes. Being the best guest at Thanksgiving parties, you know how important it is to bring a thoughtful gift to your Thanksgiving hosts. Here on Vine Street Market, we found a couple of our favorite Thanksgiving holiday gifts we would like to share with you!

We love the smell of the holidays, don't you?! These cinnamon wrapped candles are a perfect quick and easy gift to give to your party hosts. These candles will smell so good, they'll be dying to add them to there centerpieces!

Are you designated to bring dessert? Wow the rest of the party by these creative pumpkin pies in a jar! It's perfect size portions will make everyone happy (even the girl who supposedly is staying away from dessert.)

We are loving this great DIY holiday gift! Set the Thanksgiving mood with this pumpkin spice sugar scrub.

You know your hosts will be doing a whole lot of cooking this holiday season. Our sister company, Home Market Goods have these perfect holiday aprons that are made of organic dyes and natural materials. You know...you can always pick one up for yourself!

Don't forget to wrap your gifts! We love this package wrapped with kraft paper topped with some leaves and twigs, but we also love this paper turkey gift wrapping! Our Home Market Goods aprons would be perfect to fit inside your paper turkey...just sayin'

Don't forget, purchase your VSM tote now so you it can arrive on your doorstep before your Thanksgiving travels!

With the celebration of Hello Kitty's 40th birthday, Sanrio commemorated her with the Hello Kitty Con this past weekend at MOCA's Geffen Contemporary Museum here in Los Angeles, CA. With over 25,000 fans attending, Hello Kitty Con became a sold out event. From kids to adults, everyone came to celebrate this special lady!

At the convention, there was a variety of cute new and vintage Hello Kitty items, a gallery of Hello Kitty inspired couture, Hello Kitty inspired food, and even free Hello Kitty tattoos (the permanent kind). Several local businesses in Little Tokyo were also giving out Hello Kitty limited edition "Hungry Hunt pins" where several fans lined up for hours just to get there hands on one. We loved everything about this convention! There were so many fashionably dressed Hello Kitty fans and everyone had so much fun. We are looking forward to Hello Kitty Con coming back next year!

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays! We love stuffing our Vine Street Market totes with tons of delicious candies! We have picked some costume ideas for this year that are easy to re-create even for those last minute parties!

Here are some iconic costume ideas:

In a hurry for that last minute costume? Here are some great last minute ideas:

Our totes are a perfect carryall for trick or treating this Halloween!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

We had the pleasure to attend Wildfox's launch party for there brand new retail store! Located at Sunset Plaza, this cute boutique carries everything you need Wildfox: from there comfy sweaters to there sunnies, intimates, and swim. It is beautifully decorated with elegant gold furnishings, vintage china and silverware, and lovely ethereal pieces. A visit to this boutique is a must! The party kept everyone busy with makeovers by Blushington, nail wraps by NCLA, sushi from Sushiya, a rhinestoned ice cream truck filled with goodies from the band Hearts Revolution...and of course, a DJ! This Wildfox party was so much fun and we loved our swag bags! Take a look at our experience!

xo, Vine Street Market, USA. Team

Amazing gold and home decor details!

This photo is courtesy of LookbookLA

NCLA nail wrap station

Our PR girl, Stephanie getting a makeover from the girls of Blushington!